Sectional frame structure



Feb. 28, 1956 2. J. JAGIEL 2,736,613

SECTIONAL FRAME STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 9, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR. Z gnu/n0 d day/'e/ BY A TTOENE YJ' Feb. 28, 1956 2. J. JAGIEL SECTIONAL FRAME STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 9. 1952 INVENTOR. Z/gmuno J.

ATT RNE'YJ United States PatentfO 4 2,736,613 SECTIONA'L FRAME STRUCTURE Zigmund J. JagieLSWantOh, Ohio Application February 9, 1952,1Sefial No. 270,781

1 Claim. (Cl. som I This invention relates to sectional knockdown frames for scaffolding, fencing, or the like, and particularly to interconnecting means for firmly bracing and tying spaced sections together.

The object of the present invention is the provision of a novel brace for spaced sections of the frame structure which is simple, strong and durable in construction and which not only serves to firmly brace the connected sections against relative lateral tilting movements, but also to prevent relative twisting movements thereof in the plane of the frame sections, and which also is capable of use in various manners to connect with the frame sections of scaifolds, or the like.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and from the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of two frame sections tied together and braced by means embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 22 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of one of the frame sections shown in Fig. 1, with parts broken away; Fig. 4 is a side view of a brace-bar as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a similar fragmentary section of another bracebar with the angle of its side slot relative to the axis of the connected bar varied from that shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a view of frame sections and brace-bars embodying the invention connected together to form a fence structure; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of two rectangular scaffold sections secured together one on the other and showing a slightly modified form of brace means therefor, and Fig. 9 is an enlarged section on the line 99 in Fig. 8.

A sectional scaffold or other frame structure embodying the invention comprises, primarily, a plurality of like frame members 1 and a plurality of like tie or brace members 2 and these members are of a nature to form various structures some of which are illustrated and will now be described.

In Fig. 1 the two members 1 and 2 are each used in pairs in a rectangular scafiold frame section, as shown, and a plurality of such sections may be placed in interconnecting relation one on another to build the scaffold to the desired height.

Each frame 1 comprises end or corner posts 3, 3 preferably of tubular stock and these, in the present instance, are connected by a pair of transversely spaced lengthwise extending cross-bars 4, also preferably of tubular stock. These cross-bars are rigidly attached to the posts 3 as by welding, and are connected together intermediate their ends by inclined braces 5. One bar 4 is quite close to one end of each post while the other bar is spaced some distance from the other ends of the connected posts. This provides each post 3 at one end, beyond the respective cross-bars 4, with a short extension and at the other end with a long extension. One extension of each post, preferably the long one, is provided with an axially projecting stud 6 while its other extension is provided with an axial 2,736,613 Patented Feb. 28, 1956 socket 7 adapted to receive the studs 6 of a vertically aligned post of an adjoining frame '1. Preferably in building up a scaffold structure, the frames 1 "are disposed with their short post extensions down and with the lowersocketed end of each post fitting down over the aligned stud of each adjoining superposed post, as shown, and as well understood in the art. The novelty in the present invention resides in the manner of laterally tying the frames together and not in the frame structure per 86.

Each brace or connecting bar 2 is provided at each end with a sleeve '8 disposed crosswise of the bar and of an inside diameter suitable for a sliding fit on a post 3, such sleeve preferably projecting a short distance beyond each of opposite sides of the bar. The same end of each sleeve 8 of a bar has a longitudinally extending slot 9 in its side wall, and for a right angular structure this slot is disposed from the axis of the bar, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Therefore, if the structure includes two laterally spaced parallel frames 1, with the long extension ends of their corner posts 3 uppermost, as shown in Fig. 1, the brace-bars 2 that connect the corresponding ends of the frames will have their end sleeves 8 telescoped over the long ends of the respective posts and moved down to positions thereon in which the slots 9 of the sleeves will straddle the top bars 4 of the respective frames and thus prevent any lateral horizontal turning of the bracebars and frames. The brace-bars thus perform the func tions of laterally bracing and tying the opposed frame 1 together and also of preventing any relative turning or twisting movement of the connected parts in the planes of the frames. The lateral bracing action prevents any angular tilting of a brace bar relative to an engaged post in the plane of the post axis and also the tilting of two connected posts in parallelism.

If desired, the sleeves 8 at either end of a brace-bar 2 may be telescoped over the short end of a frame post 3, as shown in Fig. 8. The angular relation of a sleeve slot 9 to the axis of the bar 2 may also be varied, as shown in Fig. 6, to suit the angle at which a brace-bar 2 may connect with the frame section. For instance, when the frame sections 1 and bars 2 are arranged to form a fence structure, as shown in Fig. 7, the parts are connected at approximately 45 angles and the sleeve slots should then be disposed at corresponding angles to the connecting frame sections, as shown in Fig. 6 where the sleeve is designated 8 and the slot 9.

In Fig. 8 some of the brace bars 2 are used to connect one scaffold structure to another or to some other object not shown.

In some structures, it may be desired to support a brace-bar sleeve 8 at the upper end of a long frame post extension or in surrounding relation to a post stud 6. In such case, a supporting washer 10 (Figs. 8 and 9), of greater diameter than the post, is mounted on the stud 6 and shouldered against the post end for support. A bar sleeve 8, with its slot 9 up, is then placed around the stud 6 and supported by the washer, and the lower short end of a frame post next in order above is fitted down around the stud and into the sleeve 8 with the lower cross-bar 4 of such frame fitting into the sleeve slot.

I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specific construction, arrangement or form of the parts, as it is capable of numerous modifications and changes without departing from the spirit of the claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

In a structure of the class described, a first frame having an end post and a cross-bar projecting laterally from the post, the post having one end projected outwardly from the cross-bar, an axially projecting stud on said post end, a washer larger than the post diameter shouldered on the post end around said stud, a second frame having an end post and a cross-bar projecting laterally from such post, said last-mentioned post having a' socket in an end thereof for receiving the stud of said first post and permitting said second post to rest down on said washer, together with a brace-bar for said connected posts having a sleeve at one end at an angle thereto and fitting over and around said stud on the post end that receives it and seating on said washer, said sleeve having a slot in its upper end receiving the cross-bar for said second frame section and cooperating therewith to prevent a relative twisting of the brace-bar and said second frame in the plane of said second frame and also to prevent relative angular movements of the cross-bar and connected posts in a plane longitudinal to the post axes and the tilting of the connected posts in parallelism.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,308,832 Roney et a1 Jan. 19, 1943 2,449,069 Harrison'-.'. Sept. 14, 1948 2,452,487 OSullivan Oct. 26, 1948 10 2,462,429 'Sachs Feb. 22, 1949 2,468,186 Du Perret Apr. 26, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 331,434 Germany Jan. 7, 1921 818,553 France June 21, 1937 453,785 Italy Dec. 14, 1949 

